Mock crashes set for area high schools

Henderson County Sheriff's Office sending message about prom safety

Staff reports

Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 5:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 5:52 p.m.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office will be conducting pre-prom mock crash drills at area high schools over the next week in an effort to make sure local teenagers reach milestone graduations and proms safely.

The first "crash" is set for 9:45 a.m. Thursday at West Henderson High School.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office's Traffic Enforcement Team will be setting up the mock crash scenes at local high schools to send a "message of safety and concern" in the days and weeks leading up to proms and end-of-school events.

Four teenagers were killed in traffic collisions in Henderson County from 2008 to 2012, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

"Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers," the department stated in a news release.

In addition to the West Henderson crash, the Sheriff's Office will have mock crash scenes set up at 10 a.m. May 15 at North Henderson High School and at 10:15 a.m. May 21 at East Henderson High School.

The scenes will "demonstrate the consequences of drinking and driving, distracted driving as well as seat belt usage," according to Maj. Frank Stout of the Sheriff's Office. "Our local fire departments, rescue squad and MAMA from Mission Hospital will be assisting in this effort. One of our local wrecker services has provided a crashed car to use for these events."

During the state Highway Patrol's recent Operation: Drive to Live campaign (April 15-19), officers in Troop G, which includes Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, cited two teenagers for underage drinking and driving, and 10 older drivers were cited on DWI charges. One hundred twenty-two people were ticketed for seat belt violations, 320 for speeding, 21 for driving with a revoked license, and 39 for driving without a license.

<p>The Henderson County Sheriff's Office will be conducting pre-prom mock crash drills at area high schools over the next week in an effort to make sure local teenagers reach milestone graduations and proms safely.</p><p>The first "crash" is set for 9:45 a.m. Thursday at West Henderson High School.</p><p>The Henderson County Sheriff's Office's Traffic Enforcement Team will be setting up the mock crash scenes at local high schools to send a "message of safety and concern" in the days and weeks leading up to proms and end-of-school events. </p><p>Four teenagers were killed in traffic collisions in Henderson County from 2008 to 2012, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. </p><p>"Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers," the department stated in a news release. </p><p>In addition to the West Henderson crash, the Sheriff's Office will have mock crash scenes set up at 10 a.m. May 15 at North Henderson High School and at 10:15 a.m. May 21 at East Henderson High School.</p><p>The scenes will "demonstrate the consequences of drinking and driving, distracted driving as well as seat belt usage," according to Maj. Frank Stout of the Sheriff's Office. "Our local fire departments, rescue squad and MAMA from Mission Hospital will be assisting in this effort. One of our local wrecker services has provided a crashed car to use for these events."</p><p>During the state Highway Patrol's recent Operation: Drive to Live campaign (April 15-19), officers in Troop G, which includes Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, cited two teenagers for underage drinking and driving, and 10 older drivers were cited on DWI charges. One hundred twenty-two people were ticketed for seat belt violations, 320 for speeding, 21 for driving with a revoked license, and 39 for driving without a license.</p>